Significant advances have been made in the design and delivery of vaccines for the prevention of influenza over the decades. However, two major hurdles remain in the global approach to influenza prevention. First, recent epidemiology research has demonstrated that immune response and protection in elderly populations are suboptimal resulting in significant seasonal influenza disease in this population every year. Second, while preparations for the emergence of pandemic influenza strains have progressed, current egg-based manufacturing methods have not provided sufficient global capacity. Furthermore, the genesis and scale-up of other manufacturing platforms will not rapidly solve this problem. Thus, safe and effective ways are needed to improve protection in the elderly as well as reduce the antigen dose in younger populations in preparation for global needs of pandemic vaccines.